what Harvard taught me, what it can teach you
Every student has a (wireless) umbilical cord to the internet, which equals an addiction to information overload. However, there are a consistent number of websites that most Harvard students frequent that will always make for good conversation starters
— Hey, did you read that article in the New York Times?
– Which article are you talking about?
Here’s a (partial) list of news sites and blogs that will keep you the ever informed Harvard student among Harvard students.
The Japanese perfected just-in-time inventory, with a great many savings and benefits. Right when you need a product, you produce it. No need to worry about the cost of holding that inventory and sitting pretty on potentially 5,000 extra units of stuff that might not sell.
Similarly, while I was stressing out over my class schedule last summer, I realized the sheer pointlessness of brooding over decisions that I can’t possibly make without further, next-to-the-last-minute information. I’m not going to be able to decide between two core classes unless I shop both of them…two or three months down the road. There’s no point in spending hours two or three months ahead of time trying to decide between the two.
Just-In-Time thinking is a way of managing decision-making, so that you think through what you need to think through WHEN you need to think through it.
Lots of Harvard’s undergrads are athletes. You’ll find some of the best lacrosse players, hockey players, swimmers, runners, rowers, kickers, catchers, and throwers around. On some nights you’re going to be eating in the same dining hall as the football team, and your reaction upon seeing their eating habits is probably going to be some combination of disgust and amazement.
I am not one of those athletes. But I like to eat - quite a bit, actually. The dining halls don’t always offer the best entrees from night to night, but I can get pretty creative with sandwiches, salads, and burgers (ask me about my peanut-butter-honey-banana-bread or my humus hamburgers!). Food isn’t available after-hours either, but that always gave me all the more motivation to grab a burrito or a slice of pizza before 2 AM if I knew I was going to be staying up late — better safe than hungry, right? So how are you supposed to stay fit and avoid the Freshman-15 when Harvard’s welcoming week involves an ice cream bash, several outdoor barbecues, and a whole new Square of restaurants to explore? By working out.
For me, coming to Harvard was the first time I had full access to a nice gym. In high school, my idea of a workout was a few rounds of DDR, but going to MIT just to play an arcade game definitely wasn’t going to work for me here. Luckily, Harvard has more than a few places to work out, and it’s definitely worth your time to check these places out.
I come from a science-esque background, loving lots of data, data analysis, theory, graphs and abstracts. Because Harvard lacks a business/retail/management major, I found myself applying much of the scientific method to solving the business problem for my internship.
The scientific method, after all, has gotten us Einstein’s equations, so why shouldn’t we be able to use that same method to embark on the most basic human enterprise of business? Unfortunately, scientists and business people generally do not see eye-to-eye. A scientist appreciates the intricacies and design of a Segway. The business person ponders how Segways translates into dollars.
Understanding the difference between science and business is essential in making the leap from a scientist’s mindset to that of a business person.
The top three things a Harvard student must do are:
However, there are a number of other things that many many Harvard students all end up doing. This entry lists and describes the appeal of each.
Read more…
Being clever and one step ahead, the typical Harvard student probably answered many a question in class, asked many a question, and was generally what most would term a “smarty pants.”
However, drop said newly admitted student into a class of 1500+ other really smart newly admitted kids and smarter, older, maybe wiser upperclassmen, and the game changes. Life Sciences 1a fills Sanders Theater, and no one likes that kid who asks the irrelevant make-me-look-smart questions at the end of lecture.
If you’re among smart people and you’re smart yourself, keep your attitude in check to gain respect from your peers.
Chances are, you’re gonna be busy or at least, keeping yourself busy at Harvard. One week you’ll be smooth-sailing, but then you’ll hit a snag, and oh-no! you find yourself pulling two or three all-nighters for your two or three midterms coming up.
Sleep is important (for some people). Because Harvard can get a little crazy at times, there are little tricks here and there that can maximize your sleeping hours.
(Triple apologies for this late entry. Fourth of July plans set me back. Expect an extra post. Point 7 added by John.)
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